Page 3 of Princess of Draga

“Will the male who marries Princess Raena be King, or Prince Consort?” Nadyah inquired. It was an importantdistinction.

“He will be called King Consort,” Jael confirmed. “Although from what I’ve seen of the contract his power will be verylimited.”

“Has the royal family mentioned who they’re considering?” Nadyah took a small bite of warm bread and tried to keep the look of bliss off her face. The House cooks could not berivaled.

Suddenly Nadyah was aware of the intense sexuality the Spider exuded as she leaned back in her chair, pushing her breasts out. She kept it contained mostly, but when she relaxed she became exactly what she was. Nadyah felt a flare in her belly and swallowedhard.

“So far Lord Hayden is favored to keep the peace between the families, but you know as well as I that it can be any of the nobles,” Jael said. “The crown princess will be the one who has the last say though. Personally, I favor Ajax, but if Raena wanted him she would have proposed already. He’s lived at court for a few cyclesnow.”

Nadyah agreed. Ajax was a fantastic warrior and extremely handsome. He frequented the House enough they all knew of him, but he was also a cousin. It wasn’t outlawed, but there were so many otheroptions.

Please Mistress, will you send me a list of the nobles traveling for theball?”

“It has already been done.” The Spider set her food down and stretched luxuriously; a smile on her face as though she had caught a particularly tastyfly.

“Enjoy the palace dear one, and please say hello to Elara for me. She’s done well as the official mistress of the King, but I still miss having her at the House.” Jael stood and her spidersilk dress became nearly see-through in the sun’s light. Her fingertips brushed Nadyah’s shoulders as she sashayed towards herdesk.

“I will,Mistress.”

Nadyah made sure there were no crumbs on her lap before she stood and curtseyed. Jael was already busy looking through her correspondence. When the Spider gave her a nod she left the office as silently as shecould.

The time at the palace would be a good distraction for her. It would be a breath of fresh air and allow her the rare opportunity to gain some distance from this life—andVaran.

Chapter Two

Adelina

House ofKismet

Planet DragaTerra

The hov-carriage pulledup to the House of Kismet and Princess Adelina looked through the clear plas-glass at the House that rivaled the palace in both size and opulence. It was perched upon a cliff above the ocean with spires and towers rising high above the city. Both structures held centuries of history and resided on the shores of their shining ocean, but the House seemed dark, mysterious, and welcoming in a contradiction to thesenses.

Adelina had managed to cajole her father into agreeing to one visit to the House of Kismet before her courtesan would move to the palace and finish her training in the bedroom arts, thecamerraleto.

Traditionally a royal was taught in the House, but after the bombing six months ago the king had restricted all of his children to the palace unless absolutely necessary. At first it had frustrated Adelina, as the command went against tradition, but one visit was better thannone.

Each royal commenced their training when they came of age to increase their value, whether it was in service to the Crown, or to their would-be spouse. The training did not come cheap and few could afford the time and gold to obtainit.

Alpha appeared before the hov-carriage door and opened it for her. “Princess,” her royal guard and best friend said quietly. His arm rose to escort her down the steps of the elegant hov-carriage. She placed her hand over his fist and stepped down. Alpha stayed slightly behind and on her left, deferring to her higher rank despite his more dominant geneticmakeup.

Gathering her spidersilk gown, she gracefully made her way through the courtyard to the massive, gold-lattice doors. Adelina stepped up the sweeping stairs before the great House. The afternoon sun shone warmly on her skin and the ocean breeze kept it from being oppressive. The exquisite architecture seemed to loom over her now that she stood in itsshadow.

The moment overwhelmed her. Adelina felt as though she’d been waiting all her life for this. Despite the nights spent wondering and waiting for hercamerraleto, she hesitated and one fist clutched the thin fabric of her gown tight enough towrinkle.

Alpha gave her a sidelong glance. He knew her better than most except perhaps her sister, Giselle. He should, considering they grew up in the palace together and she’d gifted him her virginity only six months before. They were strong companions even if they were no longerlovers.

“Are you nervous?” he whispered in case of listening ears. And there alwayswere.

She nodded so slightly. “I’m terrified,” she admitted. “What if I disappoint the courtesan assigned to me? What if whoever Mistress Jael assigned isn’tcompatible?”

What if I can’t do this? Adelina kept the last concern to herself. She may have forgiven Alpha for putting their difference in rank between them, but it had not been an easy road. Now he stood here with her, knowing what was about tohappen.

There was no one more supportive despite the strain this training put on theirfriendship.

“You have nothing to worry about, Princess,” he reassured. Alpha’s voice was firm and sure, speaking from experience itseemed.

She gave him a sly look. “Have you visited the House of Kismet as a patron?” sheasked.

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